Michael Schumacher"s family keep bedside vigil

Michael Schumacher‘s family are keeping a bedside vigil at the French hospital where he is “fighting for his life” after suffering severe head injuries in a skiing accident.

The Formula One champion’s wife Corinna, daughter Gina Maria and son Mick are in a state of shock at the Grenoble hospital.

“The family is not doing very well, obviously. They are shocked,” the racing driver’s manager Sabine Kehm told reporters.

The seven-time F1 champion was taken to the hospital on Sunday after he hit his head on a rock while skiing off-piste with his son in the ski resort of Meribel.

He was put in a medically-induced coma to relieve the pressure on his brain. Doctors have lowered his body temperature to 34-35C (93.2-95F) slowing his metabolism to help reduce inflammation.

“We operated urgently to try to eliminate the haematoma,” Jean-Francois said. “After the operation we saw that we had been able to eliminate these haematoma but also sadly the appearance of various bilateral lesions.

“So therefore he was taken to intensive care to try to help.

“It’s too early to say what is going to happen and to have a prognosis. Taking into consideration the very violent shock, his helmet did protect him to a certain extent, of course.

“Somebody who would have this kind of accident without a helmet, certainly, he would not have got to here.”

The German race driver, who turns 45 on 3 January, is said to be a keen skier. He was with 14-year-old Mick at the time of the accident.

He retired from F1 for a second time in 2012 having won seven world championships and secured 91 race victories during his 19-year career.